New York Giants News And Rumors: Jets Battling Over Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie?

Free agent defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has piqued the New York Jets and Giants attention this offseason. Photo: Reuters

After a poor gamble left Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie without a team, the defensive back now has both of New York’s teams vying for his services.

The 27-year-old seeking his third team in three years turned down an offer from the Denver Broncos when free agency began last week, and the deal was quickly rescinded after the team instead signed Aqib Talib.

Now seeking new employment, Rodgers-Cromartie reportedly met with the Jets on Saturday, and has a sit down planned with the Giants for Sunday, according to ProFootballTalk.

The Giants had the 10th-ranked pass defense in the league last season, but have passed on re-signing starting defensive backs Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas, and Corey Webster.

Team interception and tackle leader Antrel Rolle had an excellent season, but the Giants do need to pair him with another top-flight defensive back. Enter Rodgers-Cromartie, who’s totaled 19 interceptions in six seasons.

So far the Giants have been able to complete some patchwork deals to keep the secondary intact. They already signed cornerback Walter Thurmond away from Seattle on a one-year deal, and safety Quentin Demps away from Kansas City. Though they did lose five-year safety Ryan Mundy to Chicago.

Signing Rodgers-Cromartie could prove difficult. The Giants only have about $11 million cap space, and they won’t tie up the rest of it in a deal for Rodgers-Cromartie.

That’s where the Jets can swoop in. General manager John Idzik still has $30 million in cap space to spend after the signings of wide receiver Eric Decker and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini.

The Jets were 22nd against the pass last season, and they lost one defensive back in free agency, Isaiah Trufant to Cleveland. They also released cornerback Antonio Cromartie, a cousin of Rodgers-Cromartie, because of his expensive salary.

The Jets reportedly had an opportunity to bring Darrelle Revis back into the fold, but they turned him down.

[CORRECTION]: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the Jets had signed Austin Howard and Isaiah Trufant. Both players have signed with other teams. Howard went to Oakland and Trufant to Cleveland.